Broward County Turns to City/County CU to House Wilma Business Recovery Center

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - County officials will use City/County Credit Union to house one of its business recovery centers. The Broward County Office of Economic Development here, with municipal partners, said the Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) will provide disaster relief information and referral assistance for county companies. The $238 million City/County CU will be the headquarters for one of the BRCs along with two more in city halls in Miramar and Hollywood. The BRCs are to disseminate and collect business hurricane assessment surveys from affected businesses in their geographical region, according to county officials. They are also to help with local permitting, licensing and building code issues. Broward County sustained an estimated $310 million in damage as a result of Hurricane Wilma. All of the CU's offices are now open although hours have been shortened. City/County is also offering current members $1,000 emergency, no-interest, six-month hurricane loans and loan extensions. It also waived loan late fees and checking overdraft fees from Oct. 25-29. The CU is waiving foreign ATM fees during this period, according to its Web site. -msamaad@cutimes.com